Spare and Spoil?

To spank or not? A new article affirms not. Spanking, it asserts, is ineffective. My generation (Gen X) was one that was hit-or-miss with spanking. My parent's generation, that was another story. Yet, my parents' generation was more respectful (on the whole) to their parents than mine. Was it because we weren't spanked? Not really. It was because our parents had that "question authority" period known as the '60s to change their minds. Is it any wonder their kids began to question their authority? "Who are you to tell me what to do?" The reaction was not, "because I'm the parent" but rather, "I guess I can't make them do what they don't want to, that's not fair/nice/reasonable." Over the years we've paid for it--just look at school discipline--when I was doing teaching practicum in college, a student at one of the practicum schools threw a desk (no kidding)! Would a spanking have helped? He probably would have called the authorities and accused the spanker of abuse. Resentful kids know all the tricks.
Here's a thought, though: If you aren't going to spank, DO SOMETHING. (Pardon the all caps, but there is still discipline between spanking and nothing.) Kids will not behave on their own. They need guidance. Not lectures, not empty threats, not letting it go until it gets to a point where it can't be ignored. Here's my shameless plug: try Love and Logic. My parents didn't know about it, but they followed many of the principals without knowing it. Sure, they spanked too, but they knew a spanking was not a cure-all for every misbehavior. Let me tell you about the pile of rocks we picked up because we were misbehaving--on second thought, maybe I shouldn't admit so much.

Cover, Wash, Repeat

Our school has been getting emails about H1N1 and how to prevent the spread thereof. Part of prevention is covering one's sneezes. Crook of the arm, people--not the hand! Does there need to be a demonstration?

Part of prevention is handwashing. Okay, fine; I have a request: Make handwashing better for the public when it comes to public restrooms.
First, if proper handwashing is lather for 15-20 seconds, replace silly push-top or twist-and hold on faucets. A proper handwasher just gets soap all over the handle. Then if they don't stay on, the germs one has just lathered off gets right back on when the faucet has to be turned back on. In a similar vein, have spigots that are not all hot or all cold. Have a lukewarm setting. After 20 seconds of lathering, the hot often gets too hot, and then one has to germify the hands again to turn on the cold to keep from getting scalded.
Second, please replace the air dryers with paper towels. Proper handwashing indicates turning off the faucet with paper towels. It's difficult to do that when there are no paper towels. I don't care how many trees or landfills are saved. Try replacing the styrofoam containers instead of taking paper towels away.
Third, please make the door push on exiting the bathroom, not a handle to pull. It defeats the purpose of handwashing. Either that or put a trash can near the door so that a proper handwasher can pull the handle with a paper towel and then have a place to properly dispose of it without having to throw it on the floor or do some yoga-like stretching exercises to hold the door with one foot and reach the trash can.
Remember: Only you can prevent the flu. We need to eradicate H1N1 lest healthcare reform impact flu coverage.

Tips on What NOT to Do

Rating: NSS
Just a few tips during Debate Season.
#1: If you post a comment on a blog, you might want to know the spirit in which the blog post was written.
#2: If you wish to debate in posting of said comment, avoid using"texting" language while stating your argument. [Scroll down to the anonymous comment.]
#3:While you are debating, please state your argument in logical terms, not emotional terms; and please don't insult your audience.
#4: If you are planning on robbing a bank, don't rob the one closest to where the Vice-Presidential debate is being held; and definitely DON'T have your escape route being TOWARD the Vice-Presidential debate venue. You know the place is swarming with police. You don't stand a chance.
I merely want to help.